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  • What happens if, after completing the application form, I find that I will be moving to a different area and would like to change my choices?

    A request to change your choice of schools must be forwarded in writing to the Unit before 10 August 2012. Requests to change choices after this date cannot be processed in time for selection committees to be presented with relevant information. If you have clearly demonstrable extenuating circumstances, such as the purchase of a new residence in a suburb or town very far from the previous residence, you may request a change of choice accompanied by a full explanation and supporting documents. The request for a change of choice is subject to approval by selection committees and the availability of places.

  • Must I list two schools?

    You should list only those schools you are prepared to accept. You can list one or two choices. Please consider carefully the choices made and do not list a second school you are not prepared to send your child to.

    Before applying for each school, you should consider available transport and the time your child will take to reach each school of choice. Selection committees do not consider travelling times and transport arrangements when offering places.

  • Does the order in which I list my choices matter?

    Yes. If your child qualifies for both of your choices, you will be offered a place only at your first choice.

  • What provision is made for students from non-government schools?

    The same selection procedures apply to students from government and non-government schools. Principals of non-government primary schools have been asked to accept your application, add school assessment scores and comments if relevant and send it to the Unit.

    Students whose non-government schools do not provide school assessment scores or scores which can be moderated will be considered on the basis of their test scores and any other available evidence.

  • What can I do to prepare my child for the Opportunity Class Placement Test?

    The Opportunity Class Placement Test consists of 70 multiple-choice questions written expressly for the 2012 Opportunity Class Placement Test.

    Past test papers and a sample answer sheet are available on the website. Students will be given practice questions before the test begins. If you want to give your child additional help, practice with the past test papers or with any type of multiple-choice questions will increase familiarity with the format and techniques.

    The Department of Education and Communitiesdoes not endorse coaching for the Opportunity Class Placement Test.

  • What happens if my child gets sick on the day of the test?

    You should download an Illness/Misadventure form from the website or contact the Unit to ask for a form to be posted to you. You should take your child to a medical practitioner and have the relevant section of the form completed by him/her. You will also need to attach a medical certificate.The form should be returned to the Unit, together with relevant medical evidence of your child's illness, whether or not he or she attempted the test. The selection committee will then consider the illness/misadventure claim as part of the application. It is generally better to attempt the test than to miss it. Children who miss out on the test may be considered on their moderated school assessment scores or, if these are not available, on any alternative evidence submitted.

    Claims based on illness must be made at this stage. The selection committee will consider the student's illness/misadventure claim as part of the application. Remember, it is generally better to attempt the test than to miss it.

    You will not be able to appeal on the grounds of illness after the outcome is known except in extenuating circumstances.

  • If my outcome letter indicates that my child is unsuccessful, can his or her name be placed on a reserve list?

    No. Three key words or phrases are used in outcome letters: 'offer', 'reserve list' and 'unsuccessful'. Selection committees decide the children who will receive offers and those who will be placed on the reserve (waiting) list. Children on reserve lists have higher scores than those who are unsuccessful.

  • Do children from opportunity classes automatically get into selective high schools when they reach Year 7?

    There is no automatic entry into selective high schools. Children from opportunity classes must compete with all other candidates for entry to selective high schools.

  • If my child is unsuccessful for opportunity class placement, should I cancel my plans to apply for selective high school entry in the future?

    The entry requirements for opportunity class placement and selective high school placement can vary significantly. Moreover, there is scope for improvement in the ability and performance of students over the two years between application for opportunity class and selective high school placement. There are more places in selective high schools than there are in opportunity classes.

  • What score does a student have to gain to be successful for opportunity class placement?

    There is no pre-determined score that a student has to achieve to be successful for opportunity class placement. The minimum entry score for each school with an opportunity class depends on the scores achieved by the candidates applying for that school and can vary from school to school and from year to year. The greater the demand for the school the higher the entry score is likely to be.

  • What does the Opportunity Class Placement Test tell me about my child’s performance?

    The Opportunity Class Placement Test is designed to help identify students for entry into opportunity classes on the basis of academic merit. It is not meant to identify the student's strengths and weaknesses in English language or mathematics performance. The student's primary school is in a far better position to advise you on your child's performance in these areas.

  • If I receive an offer to my school of second choice as well as being placed on the reserve list for my first choice, do I have to give up the offer to stay on the reserve list?

    You can accept an offer to your school of second choice while remaining on the reserve list for your first choice until 5.00pm on 29 January 2013. After that time no further offers will be made to students who have already accepted an offer of a place in an opportunity class.

  • If my child is one of the last to made an offer, does that mean he or she will struggle in an opportunity class?

    There are many things that can affect student performance, including your child's willingness to learn, his or her response to teachers and interaction with other students. While some students who receive late offers might have problems, the majority should have no difficulties. The selection committee offers places or reserve list positions only to students considered capable of doing well in an opportunity class.

  • What should I do if my child does not get into an opportunity class?

    Be supportive and explain to your child that he or she can be very successful and achieve results which are as good as, or even better than, results gained by opportunity class students.

    Many schools without opportunity classes implement gifted and talented programs as a feature of the Department of Education and Communities' gifted and talented policy.

  • How can I find out my child's score?

    Most applicants will receive their child's profile score at the bottom of their outcome advice in October. To receive further details of your child's score in the opportunity class placement process, after you have received your outcome advice, please complete a Request for scores form which is available from this website.

    For more information of how scores are processed, please refer to the Opportunity class placement profile score - Frequently asked questions.

  • How does the reserve list work?

    If the student is on a reserve list for an opportunity class the number on the outcome advice shows the student's position on the list. The progress of the reserve list depends on whether students receive subsequent offers, to their first choice. If a student's position is reached on the reserve list, parents will be contacted by the Unit. From mid November 2012  until 29 January 2013 progress on the reserve list is regularly updated as reserve offers are made. See progress on reserve list.